What is slot volatility?

What volatility describes

Take two slots with the same 96% RTP. One might pay something small every third spin; the other might run empty for hundreds of spins and then pay big. Over the long run both return the same share; the difference is the distribution of wins. That is volatility, also called variance.

High volatility slots

• Wins tend to be rare but large.
• Long dry runs are normal; the budget drains fast.
• Large multiplier caps (such as 1,000x multiplier symbols) are usually associated with this type, but the cap alone does not determine volatility.

Low volatility slots

• Small wins come often; the balance swings more slowly.
• The chance of a big single win is low.
• Better suited to players who want to play for a long time and protect their budget.

RTP versus volatility

See the RTP guide for detail.

How to find a game's volatility

Providers usually show volatility on the in-game info screen with a scale (for example 1-5 lightning bolts). Official promotional pages do not always state it: the Gates of Olympus 1000 and Starlight Princess 1000 pages we reviewed give no volatility rating. In that case our game pages say "not stated"; we do not invent a rating.

Volatility and bonus wagering

Trying to complete bonus wagering on a high volatility slot raises the chance that the balance hits zero before the wagering is done. Use the wagering calculator on the bonus page to work out the requirement.

Does volatility guarantee anything?

No. Neither high nor low volatility changes the expected result; in both, the long-run expectation is set by RTP and sits below 100%. Volatility only describes how bumpy the road is.